Road Cycling Essentials

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helpimcrap said:
puncture protection i suppose as they freak me out a bit when i'm miles from home with cycling shoes i can't walk in.
they are 220g each and so i'm thinking weight would be an issue?
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The classic option would be Continental Gatorskins then, they are pretty resilient. However, I've just swapped over to Bontrage Race Lite Hardcase for my commuter and I'm impressed so far with the ride quality in the 25mm. I can't comment on wet performance or puncture protection yet as I've not had them on long but the reviews are positive. At just over a tenner each they'll do for the turbo if they turn out to be crap!
 
Finally found a bike for my missus!!!!
Spent the evening driving round to pick it up
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Definitely a unique bike. All steel and looks like most of the stuff on it are original. One thing though, it's heavy! I suspect the steel wheels is one to upgrade... Maybe when I upgrade my wheels, she can have my wheels :p

It's a 12 Speed Shimano Tourney, the gear lever is a little stiff and keeps returning to the highest gear unless I tighten the nut next to it. Is this normal?
 
Can't see very well, but it looks like centre-pull brakes as well. Those, combined with suicide levers shouldn't trouble your velocity at all.

I'd get some cheap single speed levers, and some dual pivot brakes (though check that's not what you've got already).

You can get CX interrupter levers for the top bar that should offer the same benefit but actually work. They need the brake cables to run along the bar tops though.
 
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They are indeed dual pivot brakes. Might need tightening too as it don't stop quite as well as I feel it can be. Might be a job for the LBS as I feel I am a little clueless... Any decent walk through to help? And Single Speed Levers... Are they those that clicks into the gear rather than hold till gear changes up/down then tighten nut to hold in place? Very alien to me. Thanks.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;24395491 said:
Can't see very well, but it looks like centre-pull brakes as well. Those, combined with suicide levers shouldn't trouble your velocity at all.

I'd get some cheap single speed levers, and some dual pivot brakes (though check that's not what you've got already).
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I think they are side-pull, it's easier to see on the rear brake in the photo.
You wont be able to just buy modern dual-pivot brakes for it, they wont have the correct drop. I think you can get them, just measure to make sure you're getting the right things.

It's a very nice bike though.
 
Mr Jones said:
They are indeed dual pivot brakes. Might need tightening too as it don't stop quite as well as I feel it can be. Might be a job for the LBS as I feel I am a little clueless...
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They look like older-style single pivot brakes. Not as powerful as modern dual-pivot style but can still work well enough if you set them up properly. Get some new pads for them (if they are as old as the bike then the rubber will have hardened up and wont be as effective). You'll probably need to learn to do a lot of things yourself. It's a great looking bike but, as with all old bikes, it will need looked after. You'll end up with a pretty big bill if you take it to a bike shop for everything. Everything is pretty straight forward on these bikes and you can find all the info you need on google/youtube.
Mr Jones said:
And Single Speed Levers... Are they those that clicks into the gear rather than hold till gear changes up/down then tighten nut to hold in place? Very alien to me. Thanks.
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The nut on the side should be tight enough to hold the shifter in place when you move it but not so tight that it's too hard to move. Once the nut is adjusted, you dont need to move it when you change gear.
If the shifter is stiff with the nut loose then it will most likely be the cables sticking. If this is the case, you can try to get some lube inside the black casing around the cable but you'd be best to get new cables + outers, they dont cost much.
 
Sorry, a single speed lever is just a brake lever, like the ones you got already but without the bits you can pull when resting your hands on the top of the bars. Since most modern bikes have the gears and brakes in the same lever, those that are just brakes are generally called single speed levers.
 
grudas said:
it would be cost me around ~60quid to get it back up and running.. - parts only, buying a tool for 20 seems a bit steep, hmm how much would an lbs charge to get it off?! probably around that too..
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Maybe put a post on LFGSS (as I see you are a Londoner) and see if there's someone nearby who can help you out. I was lucky when I was doing a similar task that a guy at work was also into FG bikes and had a tool.

Another option is if you know someone with a vice. You can put the cup into the vice and turn the whole frame.

Like I said a normal wrench might work, but don't put money on it.
 
Ah, thanks torch and Asp, will look into it.

The pads look new, just needs tightening, along with the gear lever and nut. Looks like my weekend is planned then :) I'm a little envious of my missus bike. Thank god for a 14 year old bike enthu whose mum asked him to sell this bike as he's too many (3 more!).
 
robbobloke said:
Looking for advice on purchasing my first road bike. I currently have a Hybrid (Giant Roam 3), and do around 20-30 miles each weekend for recreation/fitness. As im 99% on road and enjoying it, I thought I'd look at getting a more dedicated bike for longer distance and to assist with hills.

My budget is around £1k, looking for best bang for buck.

So far I have been looking at the following 3 bikes:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fc-3-road-bike-black-id_8221749.html
http://www.cycleworld.co.uk/product/24239/Giant_Defy_2_Compact_2013
http://www.primera-sports.com/produ...s-256/specialized-2013-allez-elite-11507.aspx

My preference is towards the decathlon, but I'm unsure whether the pedigree of the brand puts me off or not. Although I've heard they have great frames, high level of components and the actual service from Decathlon.

Any advice is really appreciated, thanks.
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As a follow up, I looked into the alternatives recommended and they all look like fantastic bikes. Then I realised my work did the cycle to work scheme, so thought that this was a good idea as it essentially meant 0% interest instalment repayments over 12 months and roughly 30% off in total.

This meant I needed the LBS. So popped into my LBS and was immediately drawn to the Giant Defy 1. Sat on it, loved it, and walked out with a receipt. Here it is:

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Employer has approved so just waiting for certificate now, but hopefully will have the bike by the weekend as they have reserved it for me. Pretty darn excited, and a great deal for around ~£650 in total.

Also just noticed from my Strava page I've done over 1000 miles on my Giant Roam 3 Hybrid and still going strong! http://app.strava.com/athletes/203810
 
1000 miles is nothing for a bike.. ofc it should still be going strong lol! ive done 3000 on my triban 3 thing in 6 months and tbh the only thing that needed repair is wheels.. the rest i broke.
 
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